The Laker/Lutz News

Serving Pasco since 1981/Serving Lutz since 1964

Special to The Laker/Lutz News

Zephyrhills dominates at Summer Shuffleboard Nationals

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By Kyle LoJacono

Betmar Shuffleboard Club hosted this year’s Summer Nationals Doubles tournament June 7 to 8 and the team of Earl Ball and Stan Williamson earned the championship.

Not only is Ball, 66, a Zephyrhills resident, but the runner-up team of Chuck Moulton, 70, and Jim Barnes, 66, also calls the city home.

“There are a lot of great players in Florida and around the world, but Zephyrhills is where it’s at,” Ball said of the number of good players from the city. “Zephyrhills has great players and is one of the hot spots for the game.”

Moulton agreed with Ball, calling Zephyrhills, “The mecca of shuffleboard.”

Earl Ball (left) accepts the plaque for winning the Summer Nationals tournament from Terry Rainwater.Ball and Williamson won the title match in three games 18-80, 79-70, 77-32. It is the seventh national crown for Williamson, of Daytona Beach, and the 13th for Ball, which gives him the second most all time.

“The record is 15 and it’s something for me to shoot for,” said Ball, who was recently elected to the International Shuffleboard Association Hall of Fame. “…There are about nine national tournaments each year around the country and I get in as many of them as possible.”

The duo has been playing together for about 12 years. Back then Ball was just starting to learn the game.

“Both of us worked together today,” Williamson said of winning the title. “It takes two to win and when one of us is down the other picks them up…We have a lot of respect for each other and we don’t want to let the other one down.”

Moulton and Barnes ran away with the first game, but the last two were very close with the third lasting nearly one hour.

“We should have won in the second game,” Barnes said. “We missed a couple shots and that turned the whole game around. They just outplayed and outlasted us in the third game. They’re a very tough team and are probably the best in the world honestly.”

Had they pulled off the upset it would have been the first national title for both Moulton and Barnes, but it was not to be. Despite coming up short, the team had a good attitude.

“It’s just a lot of fun to get together with some of the best players in the world and play,” Moulton said. “After all it’s just a game. A challenging game, but a game.”

Chuck Moulton shoots while Earl Ball watches during the championship match of the Summer Nationals Doubles tournament June 8.

Barnes added that his team won the consolation event during the tournament last year. He said it would have been nice to win the title, but felt the better team won.

Ball and Williamson had to defeat the team of Ellen Davis and Glenn Peltier, both of Clearwater, in two games to earn a spot in the finals. Peltier is the president of the Florida Shuffleboard Association and Davis was the only women to reach even the quarterfinals of the tournament.

“It was only because of my partner,” Davis said of reaching the semifinals.

While Davis and Peltier are thought of as two of the better players in the state, they were unable to record a positive score in either of the semifinals games. The Clearwater team attributed that to the fact Ball and Williamson play together throughout the year.

Many of the players at the two-day event live in Florida, but Henry Strong traveled from Canada to participate in the tournament. Strong is the vice president of the Canadian Shuffleboard Association and lives in Zephyrhills in the winter, but returned to Canada in April.

“It was awful hot for a Canadian,” Strong said jokingly. “Those who made the finals really deserve it because they outplayed the rest of us…I mean three of those guys are from Zephyrhills, which shows you the talent of the players here.”

Strong and teammate Chuck Stansburge, of Vero Beach, placed fourth in the consolation event. The team was defeated by Terry Rainwater and Bob Gearsbeck, both of Zephyrhills, in the consolation semifinals. Rainwater, who is president the Betmar Shuffleboard Club, and Gearsbeck went on to win the consolation event.

“Terry (Rainwater) is one of the rising stars of shuffleboard,” said Bob Christen, 20-year Zephyrhills resident and spectator at the tournament. “He’s only been playing about four years and he is already one of the better players in the area.

“Earl (Ball) is one of the best players in the world because of his determination,” Christen added. “Other people need something to get them motivated. For Earl the motivation comes from within and that’s why he is so great.”

Last scholarships under coach Castelamare and Colding

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By Kyle LoJacono

Wesley Chapel High seniors Chris Pierre-Charles and R.J. Nixon signed to play at the college level June 9, the last day of school for the players and coach John Castelamare.

From left are R.J. Nixon, coach John Castelamare and Chris Pierre-Charles as the two players sign to play football at the college level. They are the last football players of Castelamare to sign from Wesley Chapel.

Committing on the final school day is symbolic for the Wildcats football program as the two players are the last from coach Castelamare’s time with the school to sign with colleges.

“It’s our last hurrah at the school,” Castelamare said. “It’s hard to say goodbye to all the guys. I remember when we started the football program here in 1999. We had no weight room, no stadium and no field. I’ve been fortunate to see a lot of great kids grow up.”

Castelamare has to leave the school because this was his fifth year in the Deferred Retirement Option Program, which gives teachers financial motivation to retire. He helped guide Wesley Chapel to two undefeated regular seasons, three districts championships and a 63-50 record.

“I was blessed to play under coach Castelamare,” said Pierre-Charles, who played tight end and fullback. “I can’t put it into words. He helped take me from a child to a man in football and in life. I’ll always remember the things he taught me.”

Also leaving the football program is line coach Brian Colding, who was recently named to the same position with Pasco. Colding will remain at Wesley Chapel as a physical education teacher and will continue to coach track and field for the Wildcats.

“They’ve both been great coaches and I’ve learned a lot from them,” Nixon, lineman, said. “They both helped me and everyone else whenever they needed anything with football or life.”

Colding said of leaving the program,” I’ve known coach (Castelamare) for 17 years and I’ve coached with him the last nine. He’s a great coach and runs a very organized program. I’ve learned a lot from him.”

The only coach in Wesley Chapel history will still coach the Wildcats next season, but next year it will be with Wildcats at Academy at the Lakes. While Castelamare had to retire from public schools, he can coach at private ones like the academy.

“I was fortunate that the academy gave me a chance,” Castelamare said. “It’s a transition going from a big program with 80 or 100 kids to the academy where we have 15 now. The goal is to get the program to 11-man from six-man football by getting kids to come out and join the team. It’s kind of like when we started here at Wesley Chapel. I’m energized to get started there.”

Castelamare said the two scholarships were the latest signed in program history.

“In a way it’s kind of a symbolic goodbye for us,” Colding said. “Those two schools are getting great kids because both love football and academics. They will do Wesley Chapel High School proud.”

Pierre-Charles will play slot receiver at Dean College in Massachusetts and will study sports management. Last season he had 257 yards rushing on 63 carries and five catches for 87 yards and one touchdown. He is listed at 6-foot-1, 237 pounds.

Pierre-Charles has lived his whole life in Florida and said he needs to buy a winter for the cold Massachusetts winters.

“He’ll have to learn how to ice fish,” Castelamare said jokingly.

Nixon is part of the first football class at Ave Maria University in Naples and will also study sports management. The 6-foot-4, 310-pounder will likely see time at all the positions on the offensive line.

“We won’t start playing until next year,” Nixon said. “I picked it because it’s close to home and has strict educational standards. I also wanted to be part of the growing process of the new school.”

While Castelamare knows the two players are ready, it is still difficult for him to say goodbye.

“They both come from great families,” Castelamare said. “Nixon can play every o-line position and can long snap, but loves playing center…Chris (Pierre-Charles) is a hard worker, but he has to learn how to stay warm up there. I’ll miss them.”

The next chapter in Castelamare’s coaching legacy began with spring practice at the academy in May. The spring season ended with an intra-squad game and the coach likes what he saw.

“Having 15 kids is great because there are about 45 high school boys at the academy and the team only had eight players last year,” Castelamare said. “I’m really excited to start at the academy because I love every minute of coaching.”

Summer football workouts at the academy start June 21. Castelamare added the school offers scholarships to athletes. Those interested in attending the school should call (813) 948-7600 and ask for athletic director Tom Haslam.

Former Bulldogs pitcher drafted by the Rockies

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Geoff Parker selected in the ninth round

Zephyrhills graduate and former Bulldogs pitcher and shortstop Geoff Parker was selected in the ninth round of the MLB first-year player draft by the Colorado Rockies June 8.

Former Zephyrhills pitcher Geoff Parker was selected by the Colorado Rockies in the ninth round of the MLB draft.

Parker graduated from Zephyrhills in 2007 and just completed his junior season at Florida State University (FSU). He has until August to sign with the Rockies or remain with the Seminoles.

As a senior at Zephyrhills, Parker went 9-2 with two saves as a pitcher and recorded a team-high 96 strikeouts while allowing 16 walks. The right-hander also had a team-leading 0.73 earned run average (ERA).

As a shortstop, Parker led the Bulldogs with a .480 batting average, 38 runs scored, 36 hits, 34 RBI, seven doubles and nine homeruns. Zephyrhills went 16-11 in his senior season.

“Outstanding young man,” said current Zephyrhills athletic director and former baseball coach Bruce Cimorelli. “One of the hardest workers I ever had.

“His senior year he was the player of the year,” Cimorelli continued. “I talked to Geoff (June 8) and told him how proud I was of him. Could not be happier for this young man. Geoff always has a kind word to say about everyone. He’s the type of boy you would not mind seeing your daughter dating. I told Geoff good luck at the Super Regionals.”

FSU (47-18) advanced past the NCAA baseball Super Regionals by beating Vanderbilt University. Parker started the deceive game three, giving up two hits and one run during 3.1 innings pitched striking out four batters. The Seminoles won the game 7-6 and will play in the College World Series.

Parker only pitched for the Seminoles this season and had a 4-1 record with a 4.60 ERA in 30 appearances and 10 starts, according to FSU’s sports information department. He also had three saves and struck out 71 batters while walking 40.

-All additional stats as provided to Maxpreps.com by coaches as of June 14.

Jason Garcia goes to the Boston Red Sox

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Land O’ Lakes pitcher taken in the MLB draft

Jason Garcia goes to the Boston Red Sox

Land O’ Lakes High baseball player Jason Garcia was the only Pasco County senior selected during the MLB first-year player draft June 8. The Boston Red Sox took the right-handed pitcher in the 17th round, 533rd overall.

Garcia had a 6-4 record in 11 appearances, all starts, and six complete games in 2010. He posted a team-leading 1.46 earned run average and also led the team with 107 strikeouts while walking 24 batters.

The 6-foot, 185-pound Garcia has until August to either sign with the Red Sox or retain his amateur status, which allows him to play at the college level. He signed to play at St. Petersburg College and has said he is unsure if he will sign with the Red Sox or stay in school.

Garcia was not only the pitcher with Pasco ties selected June 8. Former Zephyrhills pitcher Geoff Parker was picked by the Colorado Rockies in the ninth round as well. Parker graduated from Zephyrhills in 2007 and just completed his junior season at Florida State University.

-All stats as provided to Maxpreps.com by coaches as of June 14.

Check this out

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Bulldogs still need track coach

John McDougall’s term as Zephyrhills High boys track and field coach lasted less than three weeks.

He was named the Bulldogs coach May 25 and informed Zephyrhills principal Steve Van Gorden June 10 he was resigning from the school to take a position at Pasco Middle.

“Coach McDougall will be the head football coach at (Pasco Middle) and work with at-risk students,” Van Gorden wrote in an e-mail. “I wish coach McDougall the best of luck in his new position.”

Bulls reach national combine

Wiregrass Ranch High football team has three players invited to the National Underclassmen Combine Ultimate 100 Camp. The three players are junior Nick Lomba, running back and free safety; sophomore Brandon Teeling, defensive end and offensive lineman; and junior Dwayne Houston, defensive end and linebacker.

The southeast combine is in Atlanta June 19 and 20 for sophomores and juniors respectively. Those at the camp will run through similar drills prospective NFL players go through before they are drafted.

Ultimate 100 selects the top-100 football players in each region to participate. The organization says 50 percent of those who have attended the camp have gone on to Division I colleges. The event is sponsored by Rivals.com, which ranks incoming college athletes, and is covered by ESPN.com and Scouts Inc.

“To have three players go and represent their immediate and our Bulls football family is a great honor,” said Wiregrass Ranch football coach Jeremy Shobe. “To be included within the top 100 in the southeast is saying a lot about their parents, themselves and our team. I know that they will give their best and make us proud.”

For more information on the combine, visit www.ultimate100caps.com.

Herrera to Southern University

Sunlake High midfielder Carlos Herrera signed the first college scholarship in Seahawks soccer history by signing with Southeastern University in Lakeland.

Sunlake coach Sam Koleduk said Herrera will likely play defense for Southeastern.

Herrera scored 10 goals while adding 21 assists as a senior and was a three-year varsity starter and team captain for Sunlake, according to Koleduk. The 21 assists are a school record. He also helped the Seahawks (19-4) set a program record in wins.

“He is a great leader and soccer player, but an even better person,” Koleduk said. “Southeastern University is the perfect fit for Carlos and I’m extremely proud to have coached him.”

Jamie Byrd gets Iowa State offer

Pasco senior Jamie Byrd recently received his fourth official scholarship offer.

Pasco High linebacker and fullback Jamie Byrd recently received a scholarship offer from Iowa State University.

Byrd has also drawn attention from University of Florida and University of South Florida scouts. He also has offers from Purdue University, Georgia Southern University and Youngstown State University.

Byrd led the Pirates with 129 tackles, six sacks and four fumble recoveries in 2009. As a rusher he had 136 yards on 27 carries and two touchdowns.

Weatherford gets two more offers

Land O ‘ Lakes High quarterback Stevie Weatherford recently received two more scholarship offers, this time from the University of Cincinnati and the University of Southern Mississippi.

Gators quarterback Stevie Weatherford recently received two more scholarship offers.

The offers come on the heels of Weatherford completing 11 of 17 passes for 351 yards and six touchdowns to one interception in the Gators 42-0 spring victory against Wiregrass Ranch. The game was called at halftime because of bad weather.

Weatherford already had offers from the University of South Florida, Boston College, Iowa State University, East Carolina University and Southern Methodist University. He finished last season with 128 completions, 2,052 yards and 27 touchdowns.

Wildcats pick Florida Atlantic

Wesley Chapel High track and field athletes Dana Cannon and Ashley Hinds recently signed letters of intent to attend Florida Atlantic University. Both compete in the 400-meter dash.

Cannon set her personal record of 57.75 seconds to finish runner-up in the Class 2A Region 3 tournament this year. Hinds is still somewhat new to the event, but showed enough potential to earn the scholarship offer.

-All states as recorded to Maxpreps.com by coaches as of June 14. Kyle LoJacono can be reached at or (813) 909-2800.

Athlete of the week

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Dakota Weicht lands 8-pound bass
Dakota Weicht, of Zephyrhills, recently caught an 8-pound bass while fishing in Ocala on Fig Lake.
Weicht is 13-years-old and fishes and hunts regularly with his father, sisters and friends. The 8-pounder was caught while on the lake with his friend Jake Whitfield.

Dakota Weicht lands 8-pound bassDakota Weicht, of Zephyrhills, recently caught an 8-pound bass while fishing in Ocala on Fig Lake.  Weicht is 13-years-old and fishes and hunts regularly with his father, sisters and friends. The 8-pounder was caught while on the lake with his friend Jake Whitfield.

Commentary

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By Randall Grantham

Community Columnist

Many years ago, when I was a young assistant public defender in Dade City, I regularly appeared before Judge Wayne Cobb. Now as you know, I’m a country boy, born and raised in Lutz, but Dade City and Judge Cobb out countried me. They were bonafide. After having worked in the big city of Jacksonville for the previous four years, I had yet to get my country legs back.

Judge Cobb is now retired and Dade City has changed some as civilization has encroached upon it, but a story I read in DiscoveryNews magazine the other day brought back memories of one particular case and a country saying that I had not heard before it was uttered by the Judge.

I was representing a guy who was charged with violating his felony probation. He had been on probation for quite some time and was supposed to do certain things as part of that sentence. He had fines and court costs to pay, community service to do, letters of apology to be written and counseling that he had to complete. Well, he had done nothing.

As I argued to Judge Cobb why my client should be given another chance or at least more time to do these various things, the judge listened patiently to me. After I was done, he looked at my client and, with a very grave tone to his voice, said, “Son, you’ve been on probation for two years now and you haven’t hit a lick at a snake”. With that he found him guilty of violating his probation and sentenced him accordingly.

I had never heard that saying, but it stuck with me. Growing up in the country, I knew all too well what he was talking about. While we loved non-poisonous snakes, and I often caught them and kept them as “pets”, you would never hesitate to kill a poisonous one. Whether by sling shot, shovel, gun or even hitting it with a stick, rattlesnakes and cottonmouths (vipers) were quickly dispatched on sight. Hitting a lick at a snake was the least you could do.

So, when I saw the article headlined “Snake Populations Mysteriously Plummet,” it caught my eye. It seems that snake populations around the world have declined in exactly the same time and in the same manner. For a change, they’re not blaming global warning on the decline but are perplexed about the cause.

As I read the piece, I learned that of 17 populations of snakes, 11 had declined drastically and the researchers were trying to piece it together. They looked at the specific populations to see if there were any common traits among the ones that were dropping and there were. Several types of vipers were dropping off around the world in a synchronous manner. Surprise, they think it might be because people are killing them.

Despite my childhood training that the only good viper is a dead viper, these animals do have a critical role to play in the food chain and should not be eradicated. They feed on pestilent rodents and nuisance critters whose populations have been know to explode when the snakes are taken out of the equation.

So, for a change, for the good of the planet, not hitting a lick at a snake is a good thing. Too bad for my client that it took so long to figure out.

Publisher finds ‘Minnesota nice’ in Annapolis

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By Diane Kortus
Publisher

ANNAPOLIS, Md. (May 29, 2010) — I’m sitting in Annapolis writing at the kitchen table of Gene and Kathleen Severens, a couple whose townhome I’m renting during Commissioning Week at the U.S. Naval Academy.

My son, Andrew Donald Mathes, graduated yesterday and is now a second lieutenant in the Marines. Joining me for the pomp only found at a service academy graduation are my father Donald Kortus (whom my son is named after), my stepmother Bettye, daughter Rachel, two brothers, two sisters, their spouses and a niece and nephew.

All together there are 15 Kortus family members in Annapolis to celebrate Andy’s graduation, which included a fly over by the Blue Angels and a commencement address by Vice President Joe Biden.

We are staying at the Severens’ four-level townhouse. It quickly became our home for the week even though the walls have pictures of loved ones we’ve never met and the shelves are filled with books we’ve never read. It is home because we are all here together.

I’m from a family of 10 children and five of us are in Annapolis. My father seems just as proud that so many of his children have come to their nephew’s graduation as he is of his grandson’s Naval Academy diploma.

Second Lieutenant Andrew Mathes, who graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy May 28, and his grandfather, Donald Kortus, of St. Paul, Minn.

Dad is the patriarch of a remarkable family— not because of our personal and professional accomplishments, but remarkable in that all 10 of us remain close even as the oldest turns 60 and the youngest 47.

I’ve lived long enough to know what an achievement this is. Too many families lose their connections by the time they reach mid life and family get-togethers become obligations rather than welcomed reunions.

My father has always insisted that his children remain loving and loyal to each other. His most important lesson has been to accept the successes and failures of each other and to remain steadfast in our love.

Dad taught us that if you turn your back on someone you love out of anger or disappointment you could be turning your back on him or her forever. That is a risk he never took and never wanted us to take. He trusts that people will ultimately make the right choices and I’ve found that they usually do.

These thoughts bring me back to Gene and Kathleen Severens. While my family was arriving in Annapolis last week from Minnesota, the Severens were traveling in the opposite direction to their summer cabin in Minnesota.

When Gene and I first spoke last fall and he told me of his Minnesota connection, I knew his home was destined to be the one I rented for Commissioning Week. Gene talked the same “Minnesota nice” I find in most people from my home state, a niceness that translates to kindness, caring and trust.

The Severens’ trust was evident as we walked in the door of their home. It was as if Gene and Kathleen had just left for an errand and would be back in 15 minutes. All of their personal valuables — photos, artwork, jewelry, electronics — were left in place trusting them to a family they did not know.

People like my father and the Severens believe that people are inherently good and worthy of their trust.  And that is a wonderful way to live your life.

Tree planting honors a true Lutz patriot

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By Sarah Whitman

The Lutz Patriots will honor a lost friend with a tree planting ceremony June 19.
Robert Henry Elrod, father of Lutz Patriots co-founders Barbara Mueller and Karen Williams, passed away April 7. The Navy veteran of WW II was laid to rest with military honors April 19 at Bushnell National Cemetery, following a funeral service at Idlewild Baptist Church in Lutz. He was 87 and died from complications after a fall where he broke his neck.
Friends and family will gather to plant a crape myrtle June 19 at 9:30 a.m. at the Old Lutz School. The public is invited to attend and remember a true hero.

Robert Henry Elrod proudly waved the flag with the Lutz Patriots Fridays at the Old Lutz School. (Photo courtesy of Lutz Patriots)

“He was a good and humble man,” said longtime friend and Lutz Patriot Bruce Hockensmith. “He loved God and his country.  He was at the Old Lutz School almost every Friday waving the flag.”
According to friends and family, Elrod loved his country and was a proud member of the Lutz Patriots, always eager to share stories with fellow veterans. He was a first cousin to Henry T. “Hammerin’ Hank” Elrod, who was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor posthumously for his heroic actions on and above Wake Island during WW II as a U.S. Marine aviator.
“He was very proud of that,” Hockensmith said.
Elrods daughters, Mueller and Williams, founded the Lutz Patriots in 2003 to encourage a pride for country within the community. Inspired by their father, the women send letters and care packages overseas on a regular basis. They organize community events and offer support to military families. Mueller, whose son also served in the marines, said her father set an example to be proud of and she is excited to honor him with the tree planting.
“When some of the Lutz Patriots came to us and said they wanted to honor our dad this way, we were surprised and happy,” Mueller said. “It is a very sweet thing.”

Proud patriot Robert Henry Elrod, right, shares stories with fellow veteran Joni Cagle. (Photo Courtesy of Lutz Patriots)

Muller is coincidentally hosting a family reunion the same day as the tree planting, so many of her relatives will be there.
“I have cousins coming I haven’t seen in years,” Mueller said. “I told them they get to attend a very special event. Our dad would be overwhelmed. He’d probably say something like, ‘Why are you doing all this for me?’ ”
Hockensmith and other Lutz Patriots in attendance will also present Elrod’s family with a plaque in honor of his life and service to America. They will share stories of what he meant to the community. More than 50 people are expected to attend.
“Our father truly would be humbled,” Mueller said. “There are a lot of great patriots in the community and a lot of people could be honored. To honor our dad, is really special. He was a great dad and a great man.”
Visit www.lutzpatriots.com.

Wesley Chapel rescue offers a safe place to roam

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By Sarah Whitman

She calls the animals by name.
“Arnold, come here boy,” she says and a pot bellied pig scurries forth, crossing through a herd of goats to answer the call. She pats the animal’s head and he snorts.
“Isn’t he cute,” she says, smiling like a proud parent.
She is Valerie Burke, founder of Home Sweet Home Animal Rescue in Wesley Chapel. The rescue houses small farm animals and birds, many of which arrive sick or injured from neglect and are homeless. Arnold is one of the newest residents. His former owners decided to discard him after he made one too many muddy messes.

Valerie Burke, founder of Home Sweet Home Animal Rescue, and Arnold the pig. (Photo by Sarah Whitman)

Burke welcomed the mess maker with open arms.
“I take the animals no one else will take,” she said. “I give them a chance and a home.”
Burke, who grew up in Boston and moved to Florida in 1989, has always had a soft spot for animals. She spent almost 10 years as a volunteer at Lowry Park Zoo before going to work there fulltime as a zookeeper in 1996. When she left the zoo, she was assistant curator of Florida mammals and had worked with most every species. She is a member of the Bay Area Disaster Animal Rescue Team, which disperses animal rescue to affected areas in times of disaster, and is involved with the SPCA Tampa Bay.
Burke started Home Sweet Home after taking in an injured goat for a friend at New Tampa Animal Hospital. She asked the vet if there was another place for abandoned goats to go. When the answer was no, Burke opened up her home and decided to start an official nonprofit.
Today, there are seven goats, two hens and five birds being cared for at the rescue. They come from different circumstances. Some were abandoned pets. Others were found living in deplorable conditions and confiscated.
“This is a small rescue because I want to give each animal the care and attention they deserve,” Burke said. “It is not about numbers. It is about the connection with the animals.”
Burke’s work is funded by donations she uses to buy animal feed and other necessary items. She is partnered with New Tampa Animal Hospital in Wesley Chapel and Livingston Animal and Avian Hospital in Lutz. The hospitals provide quality care to injured or sick animals taken in by Home Sweet Home.  The cost is minimal.
“They have been a big help,” Burke said. “They treat the animals for practically nothing.”
Nola Overturf is a veterinary technician at Livingston hospital. She works with Burke on a regular basis. She said Home Sweet Home lives up to its name.
“Val is really good with the animals and she genuinely cares,” Overturf said. “People are getting rid of all sorts of animals because they can’t afford them and Val takes care of them.”
Overturf has sent several birds to live at Home Sweet Home including Cassie, a 32-year-old macaw parrot who’s owner gave her up due to health problems.
“I was sick about that bird but Val called and reassured me,” Overturf said. “She told me Cassie let her scratch her back and was doing good.”
Burke plans to adopt out some of the birds she has but is leery to do so. She plans to do thorough background checks and interview anyone interested in adoption. She isn’t willing to put up any of the goats for adoption, because she said people are using them for food and that isn’t the fate she wants for her babies.

Several injured, sick and abandoned goats call Home Sweet Home Animal Rescue home. (Photo By Sarah Whitman)

At this time, she is maxed to capacity and not taking in more farm animals. She still needs donations and volunteers to help her care for the Home Sweet Home family.
“I’m very careful to only take in animals I can afford to and have time to take care of,” she said.
Burke also hopes to educate others. She takes some of the animals to visit local schools and wants to visit local nursing homes. She said the animals have a way of connecting with people that’s hard to put into words.
“I find animals intriguing,” she said. “People don’t always take the time to watch them but they can be really amazing. They can be inspirational.”
For information on the rescue, how to donate and volunteer opportunities, visit www.hshartampa.org.